The Bachelor's Women Tell All: What You Didn't See on TV

In his dressing room before The Bachelor's Women Tell All taping in Hollywood, Sean Lowe was excited – even giddy – about seeing the bevy of beauties he'd dated throughout his televised wife-finding mission. But after taking the hot seat next to host Chris Harrison, the Texan was in for a surprise.

"That was rougher than I expected," Lowe, 29, told PEOPLE exclusively after cameras stopped rolling. "And more awkward. ... It was harder than I thought it'd be to see them all in person again. Glad I only have to do that once."

Not all the drama captured on almost five hours of tape could fit into the two-hour timeslot. Here's what you didn't see on TV:

HE SAID, SHE SAID: When Sean repeatedly denied AshLee Frazier's accusation, she suggested he'd forgotten the conversation in which he allegedly said he only had feelings for her. Their hushed-tones debate, which AshLee called "their first fight," lasted about twice as long as the edit they showed.

"I think I handled it the best way I could, considering I was completely caught off guard and don't know where this was coming from," Sean said later. "If I misled her in any way, I'm sorry because that was not my intent. But by no means did I say I had no feelings for the other two women. Clearly, I do. ... I'm the Bachelor. Feelings come with the job."

AshLee, too, stood by her claim: "It is what he said among some other things. I was like, 'Hello? Are you kidding me? That's what you said to me on the overnight date.' That's why I was so blindsided. I thought I was going to be the last girl standing and I wish he'd have extended the same courtesy to that he did for Sarah and not made me go through a rose ceremony once he decided to send me home. But it is what it is. I have no ill will for him, I'm over him and I hope he finds happiness."

WEDDING PLANNER: While Tierra LiCausi first acted coy when Harrison asked about the rock on her finger, this season's villain spilled several more details about her engagement. The aspiring fashion designer has no desire to create her own wedding dress, admitted a wedding date was already set and explained that her mystery man took two rings she picked out and had them designed into one "awesome" piece. "The guy is pretty awesome, too," she said. "I am so happy."

Desiree Hartsock

Kevin Foley / ABC

SARAH'S HEARTBREAK: It might be hard to imagine that there were about 10 more minutes of gut-wrenching tears and brutal honesty from heartbroken Sarah Herron. First of all, she didn't see her dismissal coming. "I thought he was pulling me aside to tell me he valued our conversation and was glad we were on the same page," she said. "Maybe I was being naïve ... and let my wall down too soon. I seriously felt like I got hit with the big fat red reject button. I just want to find the one who thinks I'm amazing."

NEXT BACHELORETTE? No announcements have been made but producers might want to consider Desiree Hartsock, who was given the warmest welcome by the live studio audience. And she's already keeping a pros-and-cons list in case opportunity knocks.

"It is fun and you learn a lot about yourself but it is physically and emotionally draining," she says of the prospect. "You have to be on all the time, but I do believe in the experience and I do think you can find The One through the show. I know first hand that the feelings are real. I fell for Sean and could see a future with him."